Salvia plant named &#39;Roseburg&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Salvia  cultivar named ‘Roseburg’ is disclosed, characterized by flowers which are typically bicolored red/magenta and white, that can become solid red/magenta in cool temperatures. Plants over-winter well and have a good response to pruning back. Branches are flexible and resist breakage. The new variety is a  Salvia microphylla , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Salvia microphylla.

Variety denomination: ‘Roseburg’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Salvia cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Luen Miller, in Royal Oaks, Calif. Theobjective of the breeding program was to produce new Salvia varietieswith denser plant habits, strong garden performance, in a range offlower colors. The open pollination resulting in this new variety wasmade during Summer of 2009.

The seed parent is the unpatented, Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’. Thepollen parent is unknown as it was an open pollination breeding program.The new variety was identified as a potentially interesting selection inJune 2010, at a commercial nursery in Royal Oaks, Calif.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Roseburg’ by terminalvegetative cuttings was first performed during June of 2010, at acommercial nursery in Royal Oaks, Calif. Subsequent propagation hasshown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable andreproduced true to type on successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Roseburg’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Roseburg’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Roseburg’ as a new and distinct Salviacultivar:

1. Deep magenta/red and white bicolor flower during warm temperatures,turning solid magenta/red during cool conditions.

2. Glossy foliage.

3. Excellent branch resilience and resistance to breakage.

4. Good overwintering performance, responds well to pruning back.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Roseburg’ are similar to plants of the seedparent in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the newcultivar ‘Roseburg’ differ in the following:

1. The new variety has a more blue tones in the flower color, having amagenta/red coloration. The parent variety has orange/red and whitebicolor flowers.

2. Flowers of the new variety can become a solid color in cooltemperatures; flowers of the seed parent are always bicolor.

3. Plants of the new variety are less upright in habit.

4. Plants of the new variety have smaller, deeper green leaves than theparent variety.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Roseburg’ can also be compared to thecommercial variety Salvia greggii ‘Furman's Red’, unpatented. Thesevarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however‘Roseburg’ differs in the following:

1. Plants of the new variety begin blooming approximately 4 to 8 weeksearlier than this comparator.

2. Flowers of the new variety are typically bicolor, unless temperaturesturn cool, flowers of this comparator are typically solid colored.

3. The new variety produces glossier, darker leaves than thiscomparator.

4. Plants of the new variety are denser than plants of this comparator.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Roseburg’ can also be compared to thecommercial variety Salvia ‘BALMIRCHER’, patent status unknown. Thesevarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however‘Roseburg’ differs in the following:

1. Plants of the new variety are larger and more vigorous than thiscomparator.

2. Flowers of the new variety are typically bicolor, unless temperaturesturn cool, flowers of this comparator are typically solid colored.

3. The new variety produces glossier leaves than this comparator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color typicalplants of ‘Roseburg’ grown in a nursery, in Royal Oaks, Calif., incommercial 1 quarter containers. FIG. 1 includes other Salvia varietieswith darker pink and lavender flowers. Plants of ‘Roseburg’ are thecoral pink flowered plants in the center and lower portion of thephotograph.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color typical flowers of ‘Roseburg’. Age ofthe plants photographed are approximately 26 weeks from unrootedcuttings.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘Roseburg’ plants grown in a nursery in RoyalOaks, Calif. The growing temperature ranged from approximately 10° C. to30° C. The nursery is un-shaded, giving bright, normal sunlightconditions. Measurements and numerical values represent averages oftypical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Salvia microphylla ‘Roseburg’.

PROPAGATION

-   Root description: Fine, densely fibrous. Colors include Green-White    157D on new growth and Orange-White 159C, Grey-Brown 199B and 199C    for older roots.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Upright and somewhat outwardly angled.-   Height: Approximately 45 cm to top of foliage. Approximately 60 cm    to top of flowering plane. Measured from soil level of pot.-   Plant spread: Approximately 80 cm.-   Growth rate: Rapid.-   Branching characteristics: Very well branched. Approximately 4 to 6    branches emerging from a pinch, which branch into another 5 to 7    primary lateral branches.-   Length of primary lateral branches: Approximately 12 to 28 cm.-   Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.35 cm.-   Quantity of lateral branches: About 20 to 38.-   Stem:    -   -   Color.—RHS Yellow-Green 144B, striped Greyed-Purple 187A.        -   Texture.—Slightly hirsute and strongly ribbed. Older growth            scaly.-   Internode length: Average range 3.5 to 4.5 cm.-   Age of plant described: Approximately 1.5 years.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Quantity.—Average range 16 to 24 fully expanded and immature            leaves per main branch with side branches.        -   Average length.—Approximately 1.9 cm. including petiole.        -   Average width.—Approximately 1.0 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Ovate to nearly deltoid.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Broad attenuate, nearly truncate.        -   Attachment.—Stalked.        -   Margin.—Crenate.        -   Texture of top surface.—Glossy, glabrous. Finely            reticulated.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glossy, glabrous. Prominent            reticulated veins.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137B. Young            foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137C. Mature foliage            upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage under side:            Near RHS Green 138B.        -   Venation.—Type: Reticulate. Venation color upper side: Near            RHS Green 138B. Venation color under side: Near RHS Green            138B.        -   Petiole.—Average Length: Approximately 0.3 cm. Diameter:            Approximately 0.1 cm. Color: Near Yellow-Green 144A.        -   Other.—Foliage strongly aromatic.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Flowering from early Spring through late    Summer.-   Inflorescence type and habit: Flowers arranged in verticillasters on    spikes.-   Flower longevity on plant: Individual flowers last approximately 7    to 10 days on the plant. Each spike lasts approximately 6 to 8 weeks    with flowers. Corolla self-cleaning, calyx persistent.-   Quantity of flowers: About 6 to 10 buds and 10 to 16 fully opened    flowers per spike, at one time. Mature plants have approximately 80    to 120 spikes.-   Spike size:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 3.5 cm.        -   Height.—Approximately 7.0 to 13.0 cm.-   Individual flowers:-   Size:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.6 cm.        -   Length.—Approximately 2.5 cm.        -   Fragrance.—Moderately, slightly sweet aromatic scent.-   Corolla:    -   -   Petal arrangement.—The corolla is sympetalous and typically            bilabiate with 2 small, fully fused lobes forming a single            upper lip and 3 larger fused lobes forming a lower lip.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Tip shape.—Upper lip tip obtuse, lower lip tip retuse.        -   Length.—Upper lip Approximately 1.1 cm, Lower lip            Approximately 1.3 cm. Tube length Approximately 1.5 cm.        -   Width.—Upper lip: Approximately 0.4 cm, lower lip            Approximately 1.5 cm. Tube width: Approximately 0.6 cm.        -   Texture.—Upper lip: Glabrous interior, pubescent exterior.            Sticky. Lower lip: Glabrous all surfaces.-   Color: Upper Lip: When opening: Inner surface: Near RHS White N155D,    apex Red-Purple 61C. Outer surface: Near RHS White N155D, apex    Red-Purple 61A. Fully opened: Inner surface: Near RHS White N155D,    apex Red-Purple 63C. Outer surface: Near RHS White N155D, apex    Red-Purple 61A. Fading: Inner surface: Near RHS White N155D, apex    Red-Purple 63C. Outer surface: Near RHS White N155D, apex Red-Purple    61A.-   Color: Lower Lip: When opening: Inner surface: Between RHS Red 53A    and Red-Purple N66A. Faint basal blotch near White N155B. Outer    surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 61B. Fully opened: Inner surface:    Between RHS Red 53A and Red-Purple N66A. Prominent basal blotch near    White N155D. Outer surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 61B. Fading: Inner    surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 60B. White basal blotch disappears, or    faintly White N155D. Outer surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 60B.-   Color: Tube: When opening: Inner surface: Near RHS White N155D    streaked Red-Purple 60D. Outer surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 61A    streaked White N155D. Fully opened: Inner surface: Near RHS White    N155D streaked Red-Purple 60D. Outer surface: Near RHS Red-Purple    61A streaked White N155D. Fading: Inner surface: Near RHS Red-Purple    72B, faintly streaked Red-Purple 69B. Outer surface: Near RHS    Red-Purple 71A, faintly streaked Red-Purple 69D.-   Bud: Flower bud includes immature calyx which completely surrounds    immature corolla.    -   -   Shape.—Ovoid.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.4 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.4 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 71A, large blotches near White            N155D.-   Calyx:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 1.1 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.4 cm.        -   Shape.—Tubular.-   Sepals:    -   -   Shape.—Quantity per flower: 3, fused to form a tube. Unfused            apex.        -   Length.—Approximately 0.3 cm unfused portion.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.4 cm.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Apex.—Short apiculate.        -   Texture.—Slightly hirsute and ridged.        -   Color.—Immature: Near Yellow-Green 144C, well defined            stripes near Greyed-Purple N187A. Mature: Near Yellow-Green            144C, well defined stripes near Greyed-Purple N187A.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Average 2.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.3 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C, lightly flushed            Greyed-Purple N186B.        -   Orientation.—Straight or very slightly curved. Occurring at            approximately 15 degree angle from center of plant.        -   Strength.—Moderately strong.        -   Texture.—Slightly hirsute, ridged.-   Pedicels:    -   -   Length.—Average 0.3 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.1 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Purple N186B.        -   Orientation.—Straight, approximately 15 degree angle from            attachment.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Texture.—Hirsute.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—2.        -   Filament length.—Approximately 0.5 cm.        -   Filament color.—Near RHS White N155B, flushed Red-Purple            N66B.-   Anthers:    -   -   Shape.—Linear.        -   Length.—0.1 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 59A.        -   Pollen.—Moderate pollen observed, colored near RHS            Yellow-Orange 20A.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—Approximately 2.7 cm.        -   Style.—Length: Approximately 2.2 cm. Color: Near RHS White            N155D, flushed Red-Purple 64C.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Forked. Color: Near RHS Red-Purple 61A.            Ovary: Colored near RHS Yellow-Green 145D, oblong,            approximately 0.2 cm long and 0.1 in diameter.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Moderate seed production. One or two seeds mature    per flower. Oblong, approximately 4 mm long, 2 mm wide. Colored near    Brown 200A.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    pathogens and pests common to Salvia microphylla have been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: The new variety tolerates temperatures within    USDA zones 3 to 8.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Salvia plant named‘ROSEBURG’ as herein illustrated and described.